Art History Review- Benin Art; Liberia and Sierra Leone Art

head of an oba, 16th c

• edo peoples

• depict idealized likeness of oba (king)

• portraiture, symmetry, naturalistic

head of an oba, 19th c

• edo

• less naturalistic

• brass carved and stylized

• elaborate iconography

altar tusk

• edo

• oba with attendants

• ivory carving

equestrian oba and attendant

• edo

• oba on a horse

• hierarchic scale

• european trade influences

British Soldiers Sit (Surrounded by Benin Works of Art During the British Expedition of 1897)

• photograph

• british invasion of benin

• wanted to take nigeria as a colony for resources

oba

“ruler” in the yoruba and bini languages

hierarchic scale

a technique used in art, mostly in sculpture and painting, in which the artist uses unnatural proportion or scale to depict the relative importance of the figures in the artwork

bronze

what was the traditional carving material for this era?

Hunting Horn

• sierra leone/liberia

• carved tusk

• local artist commissioned by foreigner

• very africa—> low and high relief

coffee tree quilt

• liberian

• presented to queen victoria

• symbol of liberia

• textiles

imperialism

a policy or ideology of extending rule over peoples and other countries, for extending political and economic access, power and control, often through employing hard power, especially military force, but also soft power

looting

the act of robbing, especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruption; seize and carry away by force especially in war

repatriation

the act or process or restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship